Black Friday deal-seekers can rest after their big dinner on Thanksgiving this year rather than rush out to be first in line when their favorite store opens after midnight on Friday.

State and national health officials have urged people to keep holiday celebrations small and close to home as the coronavirus spreads quickly in Maine and across the country. One side effect of that is helping small businesses here as shoppers flock online, pick up curbside and look to support local businesses and Maine-made goods.

“There’s been a silver lining through all of this because even smaller retailers have made some necessary investments in technology to make online shopping easier for their customers,” Curtis Picard, president and CEO of the Retail Association of Maine, said.

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